<B>Commerce construction boom continues</B>

Three areas in Commerce are currently experiencing major makeovers. New facilities are being constructed for both St. Joseph Catholic Church and Lone Star Pizza Works, while renovations are underway at Texas A&M University-Commerce's Gee Lake.

Concrete was poured Wednesday, December 19, for the new St. Joseph Catholic Church. Monolithic dome technology, a strong disaster resistant super-insulated steel reinforced concrete structure, will be used to construct the new building. Its unique structure should only require 25% the amount of energy needed if in a conventional building. The structure could be complete by July and will seat roughly 500 people

The Gee Lake project at A&M-Commerce is an attempt to stop the erosion around the lake. A wall will be constructed along the inside of the lake's shore to prevent further erosion. Additional amenities will include a sitting or picnic area by the Performing Arts Center parking lot as well as a new sidewalk around parts of the lake. Crews are hoping to be finished by May.

Lone Star Pizza Works will be moving to the vacant lot in front of Holiday Inn Express on Highway 50. The building will be about 5,000 square feet, will seat 150 customers and should include 75 to 80 parking spots. The new building will also allow for more staff to be brought in. Completion date is expected around late March.

Joining this trio is a series of projects along Live Oak Street between the A&M-Commerce campus and downtown Commerce, and the recent opening of the relocated Commerce Sonic drive-in.

A future view of the new St. Joseph Catholic Church in Commerce.Photo courtesy Father George Monaghan.

Survey crews make calculations along the shore of Gee Lake.Water was lowered to better assist in the process.Photo taken by Scott Harvey.

Machinery sits at the site of the new Lone Star Pizza Works, in front of Holiday Inn Express on Highway 50.Photo taken by Scott Harvey